Texas A&M is only a few days into fall camp, but a handful of players are already starting to separate themselves.
That matters for this group. The Aggies reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, then lost 10 NFL Draft picks this offseason. With that kind of turnover, Texas A&M needs depth to turn into real production fast.
Some of the usual names are still where you’d expect them to be - quarterback Marcel Reed, running back Rueben Owens and safety Marcus Ratcliffe among them. But the early buzz is also centered on players who could help define the next layer of this roster.
One of the most noticeable names so far is wide receiver Kevin “KJ” Bussey. Texas A&M is still figuring out who can step up behind Mario Craver and Isaiah Horton, and the junior former five-star prospect has quickly become an early favorite. Media members noticed Bussey right away when camp opened, and part of that came from the added muscle he appears to have put on during the offseason.
The bigger frame hasn’t slowed him down. Bussey has looked sharp on routes on air and in work against defensive backs, showing the same burst that made him such a high-end recruit in the first place. He also flashed on Sunday with a one-handed catch that stood out in practice.
On the defensive side, Texas A&M is looking for answers off the edge after losing Cashius Howell, its leading pass-rusher from last season. The Aggies do not have a player back who posted more than four sacks, with safety Dalton Brooks now standing as the top returning sack producer from a year ago.
That opens the door for Northwestern transfer Anto Saka, who has already made a strong early impression. Texas A&M Aggies on SI’s Aaron Raley noted that Saka has shown explosiveness throughout the opening stretch of camp, exactly the kind of trait the Aggies need in that spot.
There’s also movement at nickel, where Jordan Shaw is finally pushing for a starting role. The former transfer is currently the favorite to open there, though Bryce Anderson and others are still in the mix.
It’s still early, and nothing is locked in yet. But Shaw has put himself in position, and his work so far suggests the production he showed at Washington could carry over to Texas A&M.
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The Aggies are battling LSU and Oregon for his commitment, and the outcome could matter well beyond one class. If Tabron eventually lands in College Station, he would give the program another high-end piece to build around and add to the long view Mike Elko and his staff are selling on offense, even if the picture at the position is still waiting for its next official answer. [Read more 🡒]
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